WO1998023187A1

WO1998023187A1 - Back and seat cushion

Info

Publication number: WO1998023187A1
Application number: PCT/CH1997/000373
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marianna Cadisch
Original assignee: Marianna Cadisch
Priority date: 1996-11-22
Filing date: 1997-10-03
Publication date: 1998-06-04
Also published as: AU4374497A

Abstract

The proposed back and seat cushion (1) is fastened to a seat, armchair, chair, or other kind of seating device (5). It comprises a head section (2), back section (3) and a seat section (4). The head section (2) can be left out in the case of low-back seats (7). All three sections have chambers (22, 25, 26, 49) which are filled with a gas, preferably air, or a liquid. The position of the compartments (22, 25, 26, 49) and the pressure in the individual chambers (22, 25, 26, 49) can be adapted to each type of back pain. Various designs of back and seat cushion (1) are envisaged for persons with a healthy back, with a hump back, with a hollow back or with a lordotic curved back, or for persons suffering from scoliosis.

Description

BACK AND SEAT UPHOLSTERY

The invention relates to a back and buttock cushion according to the preamble of claim 1.

People with back injuries often suffer from back pain if they sit for a long period of time. Longer car trips or longer sitting activities can therefore be very uncomfortable for these people.

One was therefore looking for devices that optimally support the body while sitting.

Ge ass the prior art, for example, back pads are known, which consist of a plurality of rotatable balls. Although such back cushions have a massaging effect, targeted support of the body that is tailored to a specific back ailment is not possible with them. In addition, roll-shaped or roller-shaped pillows are known, which are arranged to support the back in the region of the cross. The use of such pillows is very limited because they can only support a single part of the body. Finally, wedge-shaped pillows are known to be used. Such wedge-shaped pillows can be placed on the seat, for example. They change the inclination of the seat and thus lead to a change in posture. The wedge-shaped pillows can also be used as back cushions. Although they enable a change in posture, targeted support of the body cannot be achieved with them either.

Finally, seats are known which are equipped with inflatable cushions or air chambers. In the simplest case, the backrest of a seat has a single air chamber which can be inflated and deflated using a pump device. Backrests of this type are described, for example, in laid-open specification DE 41 23 475 (disclosure date February 13, 1992) and patent specification DE 44 41 366 (Publication date December 14, 1995). They make it possible to change the posture of the seated person. However, a targeted support of the body is impossible with them.

More complex backrests have several air chambers which can be pressurized with compressed air or a liquid. Such a backrest is described, for example, in laid-open specification DE 38 30 235 (laid-open date March 15, 1990). The backrest contains a pulsation cushion that can be charged with a liquid or gaseous medium. The pulsation cushion is divided into several chambers connected by valves. The medium is pumped into the first chamber and from there flows into the second chamber when a certain pressure is reached. It then flows from the second chamber into the third chamber etc. A certain massage effect can indeed be achieved with this pulsation cushion. A targeted support of the body is not possible with it.

The seat, which is proposed by the published patent application DE 40 34 121 (published on October 10, 1991), has inflatable air chambers in the two side cheeks of the seat surface and the backrest. Another cushion arranged in the backrest serves to adjust a headrest. A common valve is provided for adjusting the filling quantity for the air chambers of the seat surface and the air chambers of the backrest. This seat only allows lateral support of the body. A targeted support of the spine is not possible with it.

Finally, seats are known which contain several air chambers which can be acted upon individually with compressed air or a liquid. Such seats or devices for the loading of the air chambers in such seats are described by the patents EP 0 136 637 (publication date April 10, 1985) and US 5,129,704 (publication date July 14, 1992) as well as by the published patent application DE 44 03 073 (publication date August 11, 1994). suggested. The seats described in the published patent application DE 44 03 073 and in the patent specification EP 0 136 637 exclusively support the seats Lumbar spine. In the seat, which is described in US Pat. No. 5,129,704, several air chambers are integrated into both the seat cushion and the backrest. The size of each air chamber is automatically changed by a pump and a valve.

Such seats with several individually inflatable air chambers effectively prevent pressure points when sitting for long periods of time. However, they are complex to manufacture and prone to malfunction during use. Therefore they could not prevail in practice. After all, targeted support of individual parts of the body is not possible with them either.

The object of the present invention is therefore to create a back and buttock cushion which allows the body to be supported in a targeted manner and adapted to a specific back ailment. Another task is to make the construction of the back and buttocks upholstery as simple as possible and thereby achieve a high level of reliability.

The object is achieved with the aid of the features of claim 1 according to the invention. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The proposed back and seat cushion is placed on an existing seat, armchair, chair or other seating furniture in the form of a pad and attached. It is divided into a head part, a back part and a back part. The headboard can be omitted for seating with a low backrest. All three parts have chambers which are filled with a gas, preferably air, or a liquid. The position of the chambers and the pressure in the individual chambers is specially tailored to each back problem. For people with a healthy back, people with a rounded back, people with a hollow back, people with a rounded back or people who suffer from scoliosis, different types of training of the back and buttock cushion are provided. The chambers of the proposed back and seat pads can be arranged in one or more layers.

The invention is explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments, inter alia in the drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1 a shows a front view of a proposed back and buttock cushion for people with a healthy back;

1b shows a side view of a back and buttock cushion according to FIG.

Fig. Lc is a plan view of a back and buttock pad according to Fig. La;

FIG. 1d shows a top view of a back and buttock cushion according to FIG. 1 a, the seat part of which has a support chamber in the region of the coccyx;

2a shows a front view of a proposed back and buttock cushion for people with a rounded back;

FIG. 2b shows a top view of a back and buttock cushion according to FIG. 2a;

3 shows a schematic representation of the spine in the case of a rounded back, in which the spinal column section strongly supported by the back and buttock cushion is marked;

4a shows a front view of a proposed back and buttock cushion for people with a hollow cross;

4b shows a top view of a back and buttock cushion according to FIG. 4a;

5 shows a schematic illustration of the spine in the case of a back with a hollow cross, in which the spinal column section strongly supported by the back and buttock cushion is marked;

6a shows a front view of a proposed back and buttock cushion for people with a hollow back; 6b shows a top view of a back and buttock cushion according to FIG. 6a;

7 shows a schematic illustration of the spine in the case of a hollow circular back, in which the spinal column sections strongly supported by the back and buttock pads are marked;

8a shows a front view of a proposed back and buttock cushion for people suffering from scoliosis;

8b shows a top view of a back and buttock cushion according to FIG. 8a;

9 shows a schematic representation of the spine with scoliosis, in which the spinal column sections strongly supported by the back and buttock pads are marked;

10a shows a side view of a fastening device for a proposed back and seat cushion, which consists of two rigid brackets;

10b shows a side view of a fastening device for a proposed back and buttock cushion, which consists of two straps with hooks;

10c shows a side view of a fastening device for a proposed back and buttock cushion, which consists of two non-continuous straps with Velcro fasteners;

Fig. 10D is a side view of a fastening device for a proposed back and Gesäsεpolster, which consists of two continuous straps with Velcro closures;

11 shows a top view of a lying mat for pets, in particular for dogs;

Fig. 12 shows a cross section through part of a back and Buttock cushion or part of a mattress according to Fig. 11 with two chamber layers and

13 shows a section through part of a back and buttock cushion, which has a chamber under high pressure with thick walls and two chambers under low pressure with thin walls.

The back and buttock pads 1 shown in the drawings have a head part 2, a back part 3 and a seat part 4. They are particularly suitable as supports for car seats that are equipped with a headrest. In addition, types of training (not shown) are provided for the proposed back and buttock cushion 1, which only have a back part and a back part 4. The head part 2 is omitted here. These types of training are suitable as supports for any seating furniture. The Gesäεεteil 4 deε back and Geεäεεpolεters 1 is placed on the seat 6 of a seat 5, while the back part 3 is placed against the front of the backrest 7.

The shape of the Gesäεεteilε 4 depends on the shape of the seat 6 of the seating 5. In the exemplary embodiments, which are primarily suitable for car seats, they are essentially rectangular or trapezoidal.

A simple embodiment of the butt part 4 has three air chambers 8, 9 (cf. FIGS. 1c, 2b, 4b, 6b and 8b). A first air chamber 8 is located in the rear section of the buttocks part 4 and consequently supports the buttocks. It extends over the entire width and over a little more than half the length of the butt part 4. The air chamber 8 can have a narrow cutout 10, which extends from the rear longitudinal edge along the central longitudinal axis 11 of the butt part 4 to the front approximately into the middle of the Air chamber 8 extends. The second and the third air chamber 9 adjoin the front face of the first air chamber 8 and lie next to one another. They each support one thigh.

A more complex type of formation of the butt part 4 has a total of 5 air chambers 12, 13, 14 (cf. FIG. 1d). A first one Air chamber 12 is located in the rearmost end section of the buttock part 4. It is narrow and extends along the rear end face of the buttock part 4. It supports the spine from below and thereby straightens it up. Your internal pressure is high. Also in the rear half of the buttocks 4, but in front of the first air chamber there is a second air chamber 13 which supports the buttocks. It extends over the entire width of the part 4. In addition, there are two oval air chambers 14 in the front half of the part 4. They lie side by side. Their longitudinal axes run parallel to one another and parallel to the central longitudinal axis 11 of the buttock part 4. These two air chambers 14 each support a thigh. They are surrounded by an essentially rectangular air chamber 15 which extends over the entire width of the buttocks part 4.

The back part 3 is divided into a wide, lower section 16 and a narrow, upper section 17. The length of the upper section 17 is about 20% of the total length of the back part 3 and is thus considerably shorter than the length of the lower section 16. The upper section 17 supports the neck and the lower section 16 the other back areas. The lower section 16 tapers slightly towards the top. The upper section 17 is essentially rectangular and has rounded corners. Various types of training are provided for the proposed back and buttock cushion 1, which differ from one another, inter alia, in the arrangement of the air chambers of the back part 3. The head part 2 is also divided into a lower section 18 and an upper section 19 (cf. FIGS. 1 a, 2 a, 4 a, 6 a and 8 a). The lower section 18 is substantially trapezoidal. It tapers towards the bottom. The shape of the upper section 19 corresponds approximately to a part of an oval. The head part 2 has an air chamber 49 which covers the entire head part 2. This air chamber 49 is subdivided into three sections by two arcuate and nested partition walls 20.

A first embodiment of the proposed back and buttock cushion 1 is available for people with a healthy back. seen (see. Fig. la biε ld). The back part 3 is here divided into two symmetrical longitudinal halves 21 (see Fig.la). Each longitudinal half 21 has three air chambers 22, 24, 25. A large, elongated air chamber 22 extends over almost the entire lower back section 16. The longitudinal axis of these two air chambers 22 extends approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the back part 3. Above the large, elongated air chambers 22 there is a small, narrow air chamber 24, the Longitudinal axis runs at right angles to the longitudinal axis 23 of the back part 3. They are located in the border area between the upper section 17 and lower section 16 of the back part 3. Above these small, narrow air chambers 24 there is a small, oval air chamber 25. They are located in the upper section 17 of the back part 3. Their longitudinal axis runs approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis 23 of the back part 3.

A second type of training of the proposed back and buttock cushion 1 is intended for people with a rounded back (cf. FIGS. 2a to 3). The back part 3 differs from the back part 3 of the first embodiment in that the two small air chambers 24 in the border area between the upper back part section 17 and the lower back part section 16 are replaced by a larger, elongated air chamber 26. This elongated air chamber extends over both longitudinal halves 21 of the back part 3 (cf. FIGS. 2a and 2b). It has a high internal pressure and particularly supports the upper section 27 of the back.

A third type of training of the proposed back and Gesäsεpolster 1 is provided for people with a hollow cross (see. Fig. 4a to 5). Each longitudinal half of the back part 3 here has three air chambers 28, 29, 25. The total of six air chambers 28, 29, 25 of the two longitudinal halves are arranged symmetrically in pairs with respect to the central longitudinal axis 23 of the back part 3 (cf. FIG. 4a). Two large, elongated air chambers 28 extend almost over the entire length of the lower back section 16. Their upper half tapers towards the top. Furthermore, their longitudinal axis runs essentially parallel to the central longitudinal axis 23 of the back Teilε 3. Inside each of these elongated air chambers 28, a smaller, elongated air chamber 29 is arranged. In the upper back section, as in the first and second types of training, two small, oval air chambers 25 are arranged. These small, oval air chambers 25 have a high internal pressure. In addition, an elongated air chamber 30 runs along the central longitudinal axis, which tapers to the bottom and top. It extends from the upper edge of the lower back section 16 over approximately 75% of the total length of the lower back section 16. Its internal pressure is also high. This air chamber supports the entire central back section 31 (cf. FIG. 5).

A fourth embodiment of the proposed back and buttock cushion 1 is provided for people with a hollow back (see FIGS. 6a to 7). Each longitudinal half of the back part 3 here has two air chambers 32, 25. The total of four air chambers 32, 25 of the two longitudinal halves are arranged in pairs symmetrically with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the back part 3 (cf. FIG. 6a). Two medium-sized, elongated air chambers extend approximately over 50% of the length of the lower back section 16. Their longitudinal axis runs essentially parallel to the central longitudinal axis 23 of the back section 3. In the upper back section 17, two small, oval air chambers 25 are arranged, as in the three types of design already described . In addition, an elongated air chamber 33 runs along the central longitudinal axis 23 of the back part 3 and tapers to the top and bottom. This air chamber 33 extends over the entire length of the lower back section 16. Arranged within this air chamber 33 are four further, smaller air chambers 34, 35, the internal pressure of which is high. A small, oval air chamber 34 is located in the upper and lower end section of the elongated air chamber 33. Between the two small, oval air chambers 34 there are two small, elongated air chambers 35. These small, elongated air chambers 35 ε are in relation to the central longitudinal axis of the elongated Air chambers 32 are arranged symmetrically to one another. The back part 3 of this design supports the entire central back section 31 and additionally the upper back section 27 (see FIG. 7).

A fifth embodiment of the proposed back and buttock cushion 1 is provided for people who suffer from scoliosis (cf. FIGS. 8a to 9). In this case, each longitudinal half of the back part 3 has four air chambers. The total of eight air chambers of the two longitudinal halves are arranged symmetrically in pairs with respect to the central longitudinal axis 23 of the back part 3. Two large, elongated air chambers 36 extend almost over the entire length of the lower back section 16. Their longitudinal axis runs approximately parallel to the central longitudinal axis 23 of the back section 3. Two small air chambers 37 are arranged within each elongated air chamber 36. One of these smaller air chambers 37 is located in the upper half, the other in the lower half of the elongated air chamber 36 (cf. FIG. 8a). At least one of these smaller air chambers 37 has a high internal pressure. Which air chambers 37 have a high internal pressure depends on the location or locations at which the user's back has a curvature 38. An air chamber 37 with a high internal pressure is located on the outer side of each curvature 38. This supports the spine laterally (see Fig. 9). In the upper back section 17, two small, oval air chambers 25 are arranged, as in the four types of training already mentioned. For additional support of the neck area, there is a further, small and elongated air chamber 39 in the uppermost edge area of the upper back section 17. It extends transversely to the central longitudinal axis 23 of the back section 3.

The proposed back and back cushion 1 is made from air-impermeable fabric or from air-impermeable plastic material. Suitable air-impermeable fabrics are known, for example, from the air mattresses. These fabrics are coated on the inside with rubber or rubber-like plastic.

Have air chambers having a high In ^'nendruck vorzugsweiεe thicker walls 40 on the air chambers having a lower Internal pressure (see Fig. 13). This can ensure that air chambers with a high internal pressure do not expand more and thus become thicker than air chambers with a low internal pressure.

Different devices are provided for fastening the proposed back and back padding 1: The fastening device can be formed, for example, by two rigid brackets 41 which are connected at one end to the upper end of the upper back section 17 (cf. FIG. 10a). The brackets 41 are suspended from the top of the backrest 7 of the seat 5.

The fastening devices can, however, also consist of two belts 42 which are connected at one end to the upper end of the upper back part sections 17. At the other end of the straps 42 either a hook 43 (see FIG. 10b) or a part 44 of a Velcro fastener (see FIG. 10c) is attached. The straps 42 are guided over the upper end face of the backrest 7 to the rear and downward along the back of the backrest. If the straps 42 carry hooks 43, two rings 45 are attached to the back of the backrest or to the floor, in which the hooks 45 can be hung. If the straps 42 each carry a part 44 of a Velcro fastener, then a counterpart 46 is attached to the back of the backrest, to which the parts 44 can be fixed. Furthermore, the fastening device can consist of two straps 51 which are attached at one end to the upper end of the upper back section 17 and at the other end to the front edge of the back section 4 of the back and buttock cushion 1 (see FIG. 10). These straps 51 are guided backwards over the upper end face of the backrest 7, downward along the backside of the backrest and then forward again along the underside of the seating 5. In the area of the backrest 7 of the seating furniture 5, each belt 51 has a locking device 52. The straps 51 can be opened and closed with the aid of these locking devices 52. The locking devices 52 can be designed as Velcro fasteners. A particularly comfortable back and buttock cushion 1 can be achieved by arranging the air chambers in two layers (cf. FIG. 12). The air chambers of that layer which faces the body are connected to one another by pressure relief valves 50. If an air chamber is heavily loaded, then the pressure relief valves 50 which open into this air chamber open and the air escapes through the valves into the adjacent air chambers. The air chambers in the second layer are not connected to one another. Their degree of filling remains constant. This ensures that the back and Gesäεεpolεter 1 can not completely empty at any point. So there are no hard, unpadded areas.

This two-layer structure is also suitable for lying mats 47. The lying mats 47 are suitable both for people and for pets. 11 shows, for example, a rectangular lying mat 47 which has a multiplicity of square air chambers 48 which are arranged in a plurality of transverse and longitudinal rows. If you take a dog with you on longer car journeys, then such a mat 47 can be designed in the automobile as a storage for this dog. Another application for such mats 47 are veterinary clinics. There they can also serve as storage areas for animals that are either waiting for treatment or need to recover from treatment.

The proposed back and buttock cushion 1 is better adapted to the body of the user than known cushioning devices and seat covers. The arrangement and the degree of filling of the individual chambers is optimally adapted to the anatomy of the back of a user. The proposed back and back padding thereby enables more comfortable sitting. The direct consequence of this is that the sitting person gets tired less quickly. If a driver uses the proposed back and buttock cushion 1, this leads to a safer journey. When using the back and buttock cushion 1 at the workplace, the quality of work increases. The proposed back and buttock cushion 1 has a prophylactic effect because it prevents back damage. Eε can also be useful in the treatment of back problems or in the rehabilitation of sick or disabled people. Furthermore, it has a simpler structure than cushion devices with air chambers, the pressure of which can be changed dynamically. As a result, it is less susceptible to defects and can also be produced more economically.

For people who have to use a wheelchair, the proposed back and back cushion 1 brings a significant relief.

The proposed back and back cushion 1 can serve as a support for all types of seating furniture. It is also suitable as a support for riding saddles.

Thanks to these advantages, the proposed back and buttock cushion 1 on the market is met with keen interest.

Claims

claims

Back and buttock cushion, comprising at least one back part (3) and one back part (4), each with fluid-filled chambers (12 - 15, 22, 24 - 26, 28 - 30, 32 - 37, 39, 48, 49 ) characterized in that the back (3) and seat (4) are designed as supports and the position of the chambers and the pressure in the individual chambers are adapted to the anatomy of the user concerned.

Back and buttock upholstery according to claim 1, characterized in that the back (3) and seat part (4) are designed differently for users with a healthy back, a round back, a hollow back, a hollow round back or for users suffering from scoliosis

Back and buttock cushion according to claim] or 2, characterized in that the back part (3) for users with a healthy back is divided into two symmetrical long halves (21), each with three air chambers (22, 24, 25), one large , elongated Luftka mer (22) extends over approximately the entire length of a lower back section (16), the longitudinal axis of each of these air chambers runs approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis (23) of the back part (3), above [each large air chamber (22) one small, narrow air chamber (24) with a longitudinal axis running at right angles to the longitudinal axis (23) of the back part (3) and above each small, narrow air chamber (24) a small, oval air chamber (25) with approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis (23) of the back part (3) extending longitudinal axis is provided. Back and buttock upholstery according to claim 3, characterized in that the back part (3) for users with a round push instead of the small, narrow air chambers (24) between the upper back section (17) and the lower back section (16) is a larger, elongated one Air chamber (26) which extends over both long halves (21) of the back part (3) and has a high internal pressure.

Back and buttock cushion according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the back part (3) for users with a hollow cross m is divided into two symmetrical long halves (21) each with three air chambers (28, 29, 25), e being a large, Elongated air chamber (28) extends over approximately the entire length of a lower back section (16) with a tapering half, the longitudinal axis of each of these air chambers (28, 29, 25) approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis (23) of the back section (3) runs, within each of these large air chambers (28) a smaller, elongated air chamber (29) is arranged, along the longitudinal axis (23) of the back part (3) runs an elongated, tapering bottom and top air chamber (30) with high internal pressure, which extends from the upper edge of the back section (16) over approximately 75 c of the total length of the lower back section (16), and in each of the upper back section (17) there is a small oval air chamber (25) is arranged with the longitudinal axis running approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis (23) of the back part (3) and high internal pressure.

Back and buttock cushion according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the back part (3) for users with a hollow round printing m two svmmetric H97 / 00373

- 1 6

Longitudinal halves (21) with two air chambers (32, 25) each, a medium-sized, elongated air chamber (32) with an essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis (23) of the back part (3) longitudinal axis is about 50% of the length of one extends lower back portion (16), along the longitudinal axis (23) of the back portion (3) there is an elongated air chamber (33) which tapers to the top and bottom and extends over the entire length of the lower back portion (16) and four has further, smaller air chambers (34, 35) with high internal pressure, and a small, oval air chamber (25) with a longitudinal axis running approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis (23) of the back part (3) is arranged in an upper back section (17).

Back and buttock upholstery according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the back part (3) for users suffering from scoliosis is arranged symmetrically in pairs in two long halves (21), each four m in relation to the long axis (23) of the back part (3) Air chambers (36, 37, 25) are structured, each with a large, elongated air chamber (36) extending over approximately the entire length of a lower back section (16), the longitudinal axis of each of these air chambers (36) approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis (23) of the back part (3), within each of these large air chambers (36) two small air chambers (37) are arranged, one of which is in the upper half and the other in the lower half of the large air chamber (36) and of which Depending on a curvature (38) of the back of the user, at least one has a high internal pressure, and in each case a small, oval air chamber (25) approximates in an upper back section (17) d parallel to the longitudinal axis (23) of the back part (3) extending longitudinal axis is arranged.

8. back and buttock cushion according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat part

(4) has three chambers (8, 9), of which a first chamber (8) extends in the rear section of the seat part (4) and over the entire width and a little more than half the length of the seat part (4) and one border the second and third chambers (9) on the front end of the first chamber (8) and lie next to each other.

9. back and buttock cushion according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the seat part (4) has five chambers (12 - 14), of which a first, narrow chamber (12) with high internal pressure in the rearmost end portion of The seat part (4) extends along the rear end face of the seat part, a second chamber (13) extends in the rear half of the seat part (4), but extends in front of the first chamber (12) over the entire width of the seat part, and m the front Half of the seat part (4) there are two oval, adjacent chambers (14), each with a longitudinal axis running parallel to the longitudinal axis (11) of the seat part (4), which has an essentially rectangular shape that extends across the entire width of the seat part (4) Chamber (15) are surrounded.

10. Back and buttock cushion according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the back (3) and seat part (4) are made of a fluid-impermeable material, preferably a rubber-coated fabric or a rubber-like plastic film, and the chambers (12, 26, 30, 34, 35) with a high internal pressure have thicker walls (40) than the chambers (8, 9, 13 - 15, 22, 28, 29, 32) with a lower internal pressure.

11. back and buttock upholstery according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the back (3) and back part (4) have a fastening device, preferably by rigid brackets (41) for hanging on the backrest (7) of a seat (5th ) and / or by means of straps (42, 51) which can be connected to the seat (5).

12. Back and buttock cushion according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chambers are arranged in two layers, the chambers facing the user in the first layer being connected to one another by pressure relief valves (50) and the chambers in the second layer not being connected to one another are connected, ie have a constant degree of completion.

13. back and buttock cushion according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure m not interconnected chambers is constant and not dynamically changeable.

CHANGED CLAIMS

[Received at the International Bureau on February 19, 1998 (February 19, 1998); original claim 1 amended; all further

Claims unchanged (1 page)]

Back and seat pads, comprising at least one back part (3) and one seat part (4), each with fluid-filled chambers (12 to 15, 22, 24 to 26, 28 to 30, 32 to 37, 39, 48, 49) at least partially different Pressure, characterized in that the back (3) and seat (4) are designed as a support and the position and shape of the chambers and the pressure in the individual chambers are adapted to the anatomy of the user in question.

(This is followed by the original claims 2 to 13 in unchanged form.)

DECLARATION REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 19

With regard to Article 34 (2) b) PCT and Rule 66.1 d) of the Implementing Regulations to the PCT, a new claim 1 is submitted with the request that this be used as the basis for the further proceedings.

The features of the new patent claim 1 are in the original patent claim 1 and on page 8, first paragraph with respect to Figures la to ld. Page 8, second paragraph with respect to FIGS. 2a to 3; page 8, third paragraph to page 9, first paragraph with regard to FIGS. 4a to 5; Page 9, second paragraph to page 10, first paragraph with respect to FIGS. 6a to 7 and on page 10, second paragraph with regard to FIGS. 8a to 9, as regards the respectively adapted shape of the chambers, disclosed as belonging to the invention.

Furthermore, new pages 3, 3a of the description are handed over, with the new page 3 explaining the state of the art determined in the international search report.

The preamble of the new patent claim 1 is based on DE-Al-33 34 864.

This well-known back and seat cushion is integrated directly into the seat and can therefore not be placed on another seat without destroying the former. In addition, the pressure in horizontally adjacent chambers is almost identical, since these are connected to each other via connecting lines (see page 14, second paragraph, fifth sentence and page 18, last sentence to page 19, first paragraph, first sentence of the document). Neither the position nor the shape nor the pressure in the horizontal direction of adjacent chambers are adapted to the anatomy of the user concerned. It is only possible to set a different pressure in superimposed chambers.

Analogous conclusions also apply with regard to US Pat. No. 4,190,286, since in this case too the position and the shape of the cushion are identical for each user and only the pressure in chambers arranged one above the other can be varied.

The back and buttock cushion known from US-A-5 456 519 is only able to support the buttocks and the lumbar region of the _

Support your back. In this case too, the position and shape of the chamber are not adapted to the respective user.

After all, the invention specified in the new patent claims should be new and based on an inventive step.

It is asked to determine the probable protectability of the invention in the international preliminary examination report.